Current weather

Grand jury to examine pier collapse

Posted: Saturday, May 27, 2000

By Michael RubinkamAssociated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- A company that had been hired to inspect the nightclub pier that broke apart and fell into the Delaware River, killing three people, said Friday it told the owners hours before the tragedy that a collapse was imminent.

City officials also said a grand jury will investigate the collapse to determine whether criminal charges should be filed. Investigators have been looking into whether pier owner Michael Asbell and nightclub owner Eli Karetny knew the 91-year-old pier was unstable.

Three women were killed and dozens of others injured May 18 when the pier supporting the week-old open-air nightclub Heat broke apart and plunged about 40 people into the dark, murky water.

Commerce Construction Corp. said it was hired by Karetny to look into cracks in the concrete surface of the pier. In a statement, the company said it sent a diver to inspect the pier on May 16.

On the day of the collapse, ''the company directly warned Mr. Karetny and Mr. Asbell that collapse of the pier was imminent,'' Commerce said.

Commerce President Terry Zettle has said his company told the nightclub that the foundation was slanting and metal supports were twisted.

Attorneys for Asbell and Karetny did not immediately return calls Friday.